Colorado – Across the Great Divide!
| ADVENTURE DETAILS |
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| TRIP DATES: June 23 – 29, 2024 September 15 – 21, 2024 June 15 – 21, 2025 September 14 – 20, 2025 |
| LOCATION: Colorado, USA |
| 2024 PRICE: $2,695 2025 PRICE: $2,895 |
Adventure Trip to Colorado – Across the Great Divide!
Mountains were made to move you. Come remember what freedom feels like. Colorado isn’t just a place to visit. It’s a place where you feel alive. We spend much of our time hiking in the Rocky Mountains. We’ll visit Crested Butte, where the whole town is a National Historic District. Mount Crested Butte rises out of the valley as a single entity, as locals call it, ‘the mother rock.’ We’ll enjoy this outdoor playground as we hike some of the most scenic canyons and trails. We’ll white water raft the Gunnison River and hike in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Kayaking in the Blue Mesa Reservoir is delightful. Colorado National Monument is a treasure to discover. A farm-to-table approach is emphasized in these mountain towns and we’ll experience this first hand and eat the delicious results. And what trip to Colorado is complete without a tasting at a micro-brewery? We’ll do that too! Join us to explore, breathe in the fresh air and find your zen in the gorgeous Rocky Mountains.
Colorado Activities at a Glance
Colorado Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive Grand Junction, Colorado Airport by 3pm. Take the complimentary hotel shuttle to our meetup point in Grand Junction. We’ll check into our accommodations, then head out for a walking tour of historic downtown Grand Junction. You’ll be amazed at the beautiful sidewalk art and the historic buildings. We’ll enjoy our Welcome dinner downtown as we get to know our road sisters for the week. Overnight Grand Junction.
Day 2
After breakfast we’ll pack up, pick up lunch, and head out to the beautiful Colorado National Monument. The Colorado National Monument preserves one of the grand landscapes of the American West. Towering monoliths exist within a vast plateau and canyon panorama. We’ll experience sheer-walled, red rock canyons along the twists and turns of Rim Rock Drive, where we may spy bighorn sheep and soaring eagles. We’ll enjoy a series of small hikes that total around 4 miles this morning. We’ll stop along the way to enjoy our picnic lunch and appreciate this gorgeous natural setting. This afternoon it’s off to Montrose! It’s about 1.5 hour drive before we check into our lodging. We’ll have dinner at a local gem with an innovative menu in a fun setting. Overnight Montrose.
Day 3
After breakfast we’ll hike and explore in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Big enough to be overwhelming, still intimate enough to feel the pulse of time, Black Canyon of the Gunnison exposes you to some of the steepest cliffs, oldest rock, and craggiest spires in North America. Stark beauty surrounds us at every turn. We’ll experience approximately five miles of hiking today. There’s many scenic stops along the South Rim Drive Road including the famous Painted Wall, the tallest cliff in Colorado. We’ll enjoy our picnic lunch in the park, breaking up the hikes and enjoying the scenery. The Black Canyon is so named because its steepness makes it difficult for sunlight to penetrate into its depths. As a result, the canyon is often shrouded in shadows, causing the rocky walls to appear black. After a day in this beautiful park, it’s back to Montrose. We’ll enjoy an included tasting at a craft brewery at one of the local brewpubs and dinner. Overnight Montrose.
Day 4
After breakfast, we’re off to Gunnison. Gunnison offers a vibrant cultural scene, ranching heritage and bountiful natural resources. It’s truly a unique destination for outdoor, culinary and art enthusiasts. We’ll have lunch at a local spot then we’re off for an afternoon of white water rafting. We’ll enjoy relatively calm rapids, with a bit more action towards the take out. The Gunnison River headwaters start in the highest reaches of the county with the same name, cascading down from the mountains and finding its’ way to the Blue Mesa Reservoir – the largest body of water in Colorado. The Upper Gunnison flows through green pastures and groves of cottonwood trees, at one point cruising by ancient volcanic rock formations soaring straight out of the river into the sky! Wildlife is abundant as the river is part of a large ecosystem that sustains many species of birds, fish, small and large mammals, and a blue heron rookery populates a turn on the lower stretch of the river. After this sensory overload afternoon, we’ll head back to town, check into our hotel and enjoy a delicious dinner. Overnight Gunnison.
Day 5
After breakfast we’re off to Crested Butte, which is designated the wildflower capital of Colorado, and the whole town is a National Historic District. Crested Butte has retained the adventurous soul and small-town charm that is iconic to Colorado. We’ll stroll the town a bit and pick up lunch at a delicious deli. Then we’re heading north to hike in the Maroon Bells Snowmass area! The Maroon Bells are two peaks in the Elk Mountains and the views of the Maroon Bells are one of the most famous scenes in Colorado – reputed to be the “most photographed spot in Colorado”. This is an afternoon hike of approximately 5 miles. The wildflowers are absolutely awe-inspiring. We’ll hike to a waterfall with views across miles of beauty. After this amazing hike, we’ll drive back to Gunnison for a well-earned soak in the hot tub, swim in the pool, relaxation, and dinner. Overnight Gunnison.
Day 6
After breakfast, we’ll pack up then were off to enjoy a morning of kayaking in the Blue Mesa Reservoir. The reservoir spans 20 miles and boasts over 96 miles of shoreline, perfect for a day of paddling. The Blue Mesa is part of the Curecanti National Recreation Area, and offers the best of Colorado with truly outstanding and spectacular scenic areas and great recreation. We’ll have lunch on the way before heading to Grand Junction. This scenic drive is breathtaking with plenty of stops for scenic overviews. We’ll check into our hotel and get cleaned up. Our Farewell dinner is delicious as we recount our amazing week in the Colorado Rockies! Overnight Grand Junction.
Day 7
Enjoy the hotel’s amenities before taking the hotel to airport shuttle for your departing flight, or stay and play in Colorado.
What’s Included:
- 6 days / 6 nights guided tour by a Canyon Calling Trip Leader
- Hotel lodging in double occupancy
- All land transportation as noted in the itinerary
- All meals from dinner on Day 1 through dinner of Day 6
- All activities and associated activity guide gratuities
- All entrance fees and required permits
What’s Not Included:
- Round-trip transportation to/from Grand Junction, Colorado
- Alcoholic beverages (except 1 brewery tasting) and other items of a personal nature
- Optional Trip Leader gratuity at the end of the tour
